יהושע, פרק י״ב, פסוק כ״ד

The conquest of Canaan required dismantling a vast network of local powers. As the record of defeated Canaanite leaders comes to a close, a final tally is presented of the rulers overcome by Joshua. By defeating these leaders, Joshua successfully shattered their organized kingdoms and took control of their cities [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Although a specific total of thirty-one kings is recorded, this number does not represent every single ruler who held power in the land. The list accounts only for the most prominent and powerful kings. Operating beneath these major figures were numerous other lesser kings and local rulers who maintained their own governments, yet they were not included in this primary count [חומת אנך].